CLAY GRABS 3-STROKE LEAD AT MEDICUS PRESEASON JUNIOR IN THE CHICAGO SOUTHLAND
Klava sits in second after windy round at Green Garden Country Club
FRANKFORT, Ill. — Josh Clay of Canton, Ohio, completed the first round of the Medicus Preseason Junior in the Chicago Southland with a 3-under-par 69 to build a three stroke lead Saturday. Tyler Klava of Pace, Fla., sits in second after an even-par round of 72.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Medicus Preseason Junior in the Chicago Southland is a 36-hole stroke play event being held at Green Garden Country Club - Blue Course. The tournament field consists of 78 boys, ages 12 to 18, from 20 states, Canada and Indonesia. The par-72 course is playing at 6,552 yards.
After starting on No. 10, Clay parred the eleventh hole and credits that as the start to the day's only round under par. The 17-year-old made the turn at even-par 36 and carded an eagle and two birdies over his last nine holes.
“I had a great drive of about 330 yards on No. 3,” Clay said. “I hit it in with a pitching wedge from 40 ft and made eagle. I just think my short game was good today and I didn't give anything away.”
Clay feels good heading into Sunday's final round and plans to play the same way he has the past couple months. He plans to prepare for tomorrow the same way he always does -- no practice.
“I don't over analyze and I go with the flow,” Clay said. “I'd rather play and really just practice while I play.”
The 16-year-old Klava finished his first nine holes with a 1-under-par 35 and carded three birdies on his last nine to finish the first round with an even-par 72.
Also atop the leaderboard in third is Matt Hageman of Dixon, Ill., with a 2-over-par 74. Brett Patterson of McMinnville, Tenn., Nathan Hoefflin of Saint Cloud, Minn., and David Smith of Plymouth, Minn., are all tied for fourth with 3-over-par 75s.
Medicus Golf and The Medicus Golf Institute are dedicated to enabling all golfers to “Live Their Vision” in reaching their potential. By expanding its corporate vision, mission, products and services, Medicus Golf will enable golfers to learn and grow — both as a person and as a player — in a series of new and exciting developmental formats.
Medicus Golf enters its third year of sponsorship of the AJGA by supporting the Medicus Preseason Series. The Medicus Learning System, a comprehensive series of golf training aids, is dedicated to assisting golfers of all ages.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 foreign countries.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.
Final-round tee times for the Medicus Preseason Junior in the Chicago Southland will run from 7 a.m. to 8:48 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees. For more information, please call AJGA Tournament Headquarters at 678-315-3446 or visit the AJGA Web site ajga.org.
#AJGA#
|
